The formation of a senior co-housing community in London

Scanlon, Kathleen and Fernández Arrigoitia, Melissa
(2012)
The formation of a senior co-housing community in London.
In: ENHR 2012: Housing: local welfare and local markets in a globalised world, 24-27 June 2012, European Network for Housing Research, Lillehammer, Norway.

Abstract

This paper presents early results of research into the formation of a pioneering cohousing
project for the over-50s in London. Co-housing is a familiar concept in
Scandinavia, Germany and the Netherlands but there are only a few communities in
the UK. Recent government reports have recommended its adoption, particularly for
older people, saying that living in co-housing communities increases social
interaction, allows seniors to downsize (freeing up family homes) and may delay the
need to move into costly residential care homes. Drawing on participant observation,
the paper identifies the main challenges and opportunities the group have encountered
to date including issues of recruitment, group dynamics, design and interactions
with the planning system. It also addresses questions of legal and financial arrangements.
Finally, we draw some tentative lessons about what would need to change to
enable more widespread adoption of this specialist housing choice in the UK.